Nextstellis and Cramps: What Users Say

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2021

For Birth Control "I am a really odd case, so I can’t comment on the effectiveness of the birth control in terms of spotting/breakthrough bleeding, but here’s what I can say. I have always had horrible acne as well as a migraine disorder. This medication does wonderful with both of those. I did, however, find that I have terrible uterine cramps seemingly randomly through the month. The very first month on this medication was terrible, the pain from cramping was 7/10 every day! Second month in, and cramping only happens about once a week now. The other side effect I notice is definite breast swelling and tenderness, they are almost always sore to the point I don’t wear a bra anymore."

• Cma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2023

For Birth Control "I was on Junel Fe for years, but recently switched to Nextstellis because of the vaginal dryness the Junel caused. That was the only downside of the Junel, but it was making intercourse uncomfortable. The Nextstellis works wonders for the vaginal dryness, but it caused many unwanted side effects for me. I have a history of bad acne, and the Junel kept it under control for years, but when I started the Nextstellis, I began to have breakouts. They were mild at first, but by month 5, it was all over my face, back, chest, and shoulders. I haven't had breakouts like that since middle school. It also caused breakthrough bleeding, terrible cramps, sore/painful axillary lymph nodes, and hair loss during my placebo pills/period. These symptoms seem to have worsened month to month, never getting better. So, I will be trying a different pill, it just sadly wasn't for me."

• ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2024

"I am over halfway through my second pack and bleeding nonstop. Some days, it's just spotting, other days, it's a full heavy period with clots and cramping - I never know what I will wake up to. The first 3 weeks of this pill were amazing - nothing but positives, but I started spotting a week before the placebo pills and haven't stopped. It's a shame because everything else has been wonderful. All my perimenopause issues are gone - no anxiety, weight loss, sleeping better, just feel good! But I'm not sure I can handle bleeding 24/7 - doesn't seem like a fair trade-off. This is the first pill I've ever been able to take for more than a week - all others have given me constant migraines. I'm sad it's not working."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2025

For Birth Control "I started this because my previous birth control made me depressed/almost numb with my emotions. My doctor had nothing but great things to say about Nextstellis, but unfortunately, I gained 20 pounds when I was the healthiest and most active I’d been in years. My breasts enlarged, and my heavy periods were light-medium along with heavy cramps the first day of my cycle. Aside from weight gain, my mind was very clear, and I finally felt like myself again!"